The Path to Peace

Ryan Pelletier was something of a mess when he got out of the Marine Corps in 2006. After serving four years, including one tour in Iraq, he was left with the physical pain of knee problems, and overwhelming emotional turmoil.

The transition from military to civilian life was especially tough, he said, because of his training.

“The way they train you is, they take all emotions out of you. You’re left with nothing but anger.”

Alcohol gave some relief, but when it became clear he was becoming an alcoholic, “I smartened up a little bit,” he said.

Actually Pelletier, 37, credits the woman in his life with helping him move away from drinking and “dabbling with drugs.”